Chelsea Mitchell categorically reinvented her project Dirty Dollhouse for the April 2017 release of the debut LP Vinyl Child, moving from a country-folk acoustic sound to a more complex, expansive and varied exploration of the creative freedom that the “singer-songwriter” title affords. Continue reading →

Singer-songwriter Chelsea Mitchell’s long-running project Dirty Dollhouse heads up the MAAS Building for the record release show of their album Vinyl Child. The group’s harmonic focus mixes with century-spanning influences, from country to doo-wop to R&B, creating a sound both old and new. The show is all ages, and more information can be found on the XPN Concert Calendar. Continue reading →

Back in September we heard a track called “Moonshine” from the Dirty Dollhouse project of Chelsea Mitchell. It was eerie, ominous, and a turn away from the twangy folk of the local songwriter’s earlier days. It was also the lead single from Mitchell’s forthcoming Vinyl Child LP, which now has a release date, release show, and second single called “The Last Time” that we’re premiering today.

Local singer/songwriter Chelsea Mitchell is gearing up to release a new LP as Dirty Dollhouse, the moniker for a project we first fell in love with in 2014 when it was trio with Amber Twait and Vanessa Winters. Back then the songs were folk-pop angled with earworm harmonies and an overall twang, but Mitchell is shedding that aesthetic in favor of a broader range for the new record, as you’ll hear in the premiere of Vinyl Child lead single “Moonshine” below.

The Rentiers, a project lead by Plow United’s Joel Tannenbaum, will take over Ortlieb’s for the night. The light-hearted folk inspired act can be described as more of a rotating cast of friends, the only consistent members being Tannenbaum himself and percussionist Mikey Erg of The Ergs!. The group will be joined by Brian McGee, who will be accompanied by a full band and North Carolina folk act JKutchma. Watch them perform “Stories of Adam” at Long in The Tooth, and tickets can be purchased here. Continue reading →

Nathan Williams of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas | Photo courtesy of the artist.

Starting next Wednesday, May 6, and continuing every Wednesday through June 24th, the Dilworth Park Live @ Lunch weekly music series, curated by WXPN, will present free shows featuring a mix of local and national bands. Continue reading →

For those of you who don’t know about NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, you may want to head over to their site and root through their enormous and equally impressive archive. Their 15-minute videos feature live performances from artists of all genres held in the quaint offices of NPR at All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen’s desk.

Ranging from big names like Adele and Alt-J to up-and-coming artists such as Angel Olsen and Rubblebucket, viewers are able to watch the artists perform in the intimate setting, giving the performances a stripped-down, no B.S. vibe. While these videos are ultra fun to watch (perhaps continuously, one after another…), NPR kept things interesting this winter by kicking off a contest to feature a new artist in their series.

Based entirely off of video submissions from all over the United States, an artist will be chosen to perform a Tiny Desk Concert at NPR headquarters in Washington D.C. as well as snag a slot in the big Lagunitas Couchtrippin’ showcase in Austin, Texas. Philadelphia, brimming with the amazing musical talent that it is, seems to have jumped at this opportunity. Continue reading →

Tinmouth close out their 2014 concert schedule with a show at Kung Fu Necktie tonight. The local indie rockers were the subject of this week’s Key Studio Session, previewing tracks from their forthcoming debut LP Says. Check out “Same Noise” below and get the full session here. Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show here

About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH

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About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH